Your moving questions answered

If you're planning a move domestically or internationally, you will have many questions. Here are some FAQ's that will help you with your new journey.
 
Moving internationally or domestically? Not sure where to start, especially when it comes to an international move? Should you go with air freight or ocean freight? A full or partial container? Is a 20-foot container enough or do you need a 40-foot container? How do you know what your best options are? 
With our Frequently Asked Moving Questions, you’ll find details regarding everything you need to know to plan your move. From deadlines and packing tips to navigating a post-pandemic world and documentation advice, answers from our move experts have got you covered. Make sure to give this a thorough read to prevent delays, additional costs, damages, or anything that could go wrong along the way. 

General Relocation FAQs

 We ask our customers, whether moving domestically or internationally to start the moving process about 2 to 4 months prior to their likely service date. 
 
Domestically, yes, but please do some research on proper packing techniques to ensure safe travel. 

For international moves we are in a world of heightened security. Customs officials are far more likely to do an extensive inspection on an owner packed shipment. The cost of this inspection is often far greater than the cost of packing services. 
During your consultation, your Crown consultant will discuss with you, crating requirements. Items typically require crating are as follows: large fragile or delicate items, mirrors, glass or marble table tops, large paintings or pictures and/or high value items. 
  
If you are considering a move to a city with a higher cost of living than where you currently live, you want to make sure that your new salary will make up the difference. A great way to compare cities is by using a cost of living comparison tool. 
There are several available online, including this one from Payscale: https://www.payscale.com/cost-of-living-calculator 
 It’s important to confirm your booking as early as possible, as we foresee a rather busy move season in 2021. Some flexibility may be needed on short notice moves.
HR may not be aware of the affects of the pandemic, let us know and we will be happy to speak to your HR and advise them of the issues and encourage them to initiate the process earlier than they may have done in the past. 

Any corporate initiation really should come through your HR company so to ensure service level agreements are met and proper invoicing parties are confirmed. 

Moving During a Pandemic FAQs

Possibly, depending on the shipping line and the routing, we have seen that there have been some delays at ports as well as a container shortage.
Here are a few links to give you more information about what we are seeing with ports

 
Most shipments require more than 7 days to deliver, so at present there is no requirement for disinfection.
See CDC guidelines and FAQ’s
  
It is worth mentioning that Crown Mexico has improved packing protocols for origin and destination in accordance with the new international provisions on prevention of COVID-19. Also, all our packaging material and transportation is sanitized before each service and upon arrival at the warehouse.
 Our packing and moving crews are taking the coronavirus pandemic very seriously. To that end, we have put into place protocols designed to protect our employees and our customers. These include:
  • Following federal and local guidelines around social distancing and sanitization
  • Conducting virtual surveys instead of in-home surveys to provide estimates
  • Frequently sanitizing trucks and equipment
  • Practicing social distancing with customers and, as much as possible, among moving teams
  • Wearing masks and gloves
  • Keeping trucks stocked with hand sanitizer

All of these practices help ensure that moving services can remain available in a safe way. A virtual move estimate for example provides you with the same quote you’d expect any time you hire movers without the need to have someone enter your home 
Plan early, book early and be prepared for possible extra charges related to storage requirement, freight increases, a lengthened transit time.  People who book well in advance have a better likelihood of securing a container for your move date.
All of our quotes cover the tax cost of normal customs clearance and all known charges. But customs may require a more extensive random inspection or a cost per storage - which are not covered -. This procedure has remained the same as before the pandemic. 

At Crown we clearly inform you in advance about any possible additional expenses. It is our duty to help you and facilitate your relocation. 
MKT AMERICAS